Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
flow and observables at each node but does not have volume? In some cases,
volume data might simply not be collected and available. In other cases, the
issue might be inherent to the nature of the data. For example, a typical
financial or economic model used for forecasting and risk management will
include many factors that influence an outcome, but these relationships are
about complex transitive effects, not simply quantified transactions.
When behaviors are involved and the relationship between nodes cannot be
properlyexpressedwithoneortwosimplemeasures,relationshipscanoften
beunderstoodthroughcorrelationoflinkedbehaviorsifarrangedinafactor
tree and made visible through the use of time series.
You may remember factor trees from grade school math. As shown in
Figure
12-10
, a
factor tree
breaks down a number successively into constituent
factors and links them with lines. A
behavioral factor tree
uses the
same structural approach but describes complex relationships of influence
instead of simple multiplications. This technique for showing linked visible
behaviors is unique, specific, and useful enough to give it a name to refer to.
